Niemelä Block

Vaasa 2023 7 050.00 brm² Peab Oy

 

The new buildings in the Niemelä block were developed in phases between 2019 and 2023. The site is located in the immediate vicinity of Vaasa railway station and travel centre, in a central location close to the city’s services and public transport connections.

The first new building in the block, As Oy Vaasan Verde, was completed in 2021, followed by As Oy Vaasan Viola and As Oy Vaasan Celeste, both completed in 2023.

In the urban landscape, the eight-storey Verde and seven-storey Celeste form part of a zone of taller residential buildings running parallel to the railway. The buildings offer views in several directions across the city, extending as far as the sea, as well as towards the nationally significant Asemapuisto cultural environment.

Together, the buildings form a high-quality residential development that has added approximately 7,050 gross floor square metres of new residential space to Vaasa city centre, along with a substantial amount of covered resident parking. The project complements the urban structure in line with the objectives of the city centre strategy by transforming plots that had remained underutilised for a long time into an integral part of a dense and vibrant urban environment.

Shared outdoor spaces for relaxation, play and recreation are located on landscaped podium courtyards enclosed by the buildings, as well as in sheltered, gated courtyards. Particular attention has been paid to creating pleasant, green environments and managing stormwater through diverse planting, high-quality surface materials and green roof solutions.

Two new underground parking garages were built beneath the podium courtyards for residents’ use. In addition, the lower floor of the two-storey commercial wing of the Niemelänkulma building, previously used as furniture storage, was converted into a semi-heated parking facility for residents. Bicycle storage has been provided in both building-specific facilities and shared storage areas.

Architecturally, the buildings form a cohesive yet varied ensemble. White-rendered façades, dark rustic brickwork, warm timber materials and opal glass balcony solutions create a timeless and durable appearance. The buildings have been designed and constructed to meet high architectural, technical and urban design standards.

This challenging urban infill project was successfully completed through close cooperation between the City of Vaasa, the design team and the other project stakeholders.

Peab Oy was responsible for the development and construction of the buildings. The architect responsible for the reference plans during the zoning phase was Hanna Kangas, SAFA. Meri Ruuskanen, SAFA, served as the principal designer and lead building designer, while architecture student Mika Nieminen was responsible for BIM coordination.